Gophers tight end Lincoln Plsek was a medical redshirt candidate after missing his senior season with a back injury last fall, but his time with the team has come to an end.

Plsek, a projected starter heading into last season, is graduating and no longer on the roster, the team confirmed Friday.

Plsek, a native of West, Texas, played 34 career games for the Gophers, mostly as a blocking tight end. He made eight career receptions for 71 yards.

He was expected to play a key role last season, when the Gophers had to replace Maxx Williams and Drew Goodger, but the back injury kept Plsek sidelined. Brandon Lingen emerged as a go-to passing target at tight end last year, and fellow sophomore Nate Wozniak got steady playing time in the blocking tight end role.

Another scholarship player who has left the program is linebacker Chris Wipson, who is focusing on academics, the team said. Wipson, a Wayzata native, was the Gophers' lone scholarship signee from Minnesota in 2013. He tore the ACL in his left knee as a high school senior and redshirted for the Gophers in 2013 before playing in four games the following year. Wipson did not play in any games last fall.

Two walk-on players who are no longer on the roster are fullback Tyler Hartmann and defensive back Cavonte Johnson. Hartmann is leaving the program due to graduation and Johnson is focusing on academics, according to the Gophers.

Hartmann was a backup fullback to departing senior Miles Thomas last year as a redshirt junior. The Gophers will need to find others who can fill that fullback hole this year.